If you’re like me, you have a favorite pair of jeans that you wear more often than all the others in your closet. They fit well, they’re comfortable, and they seem to go with any kind of shirt, shoe, jacket, and purse. So, when you’re short on time, and you need to put together an outfit fast, you reach for them; you just know they’ll never fail you.
As a beauty editor, I’m always searching for the skincare, hair, makeup, and fragrance equivalents of my favorite pair of jeans. I want products that are quick and easy to use, so I can reach for them when I oversleep and I’m running late. It’s taken me a long time, but I think I’ve finally found them. Ahead see the 14 beauty staples I swear by for getting me out the door in 10 minutes or less. These are tried-and-true items that make me look polished and put-together, no matter how disheveled I start out (you can thank me later).
I know what you’re thinking, why would you use an exfoliating mask if you’re short on time? Let me tell you from personal experience. One fateful Saturday night, I stayed out too late after dinner and drinks. When I work up on Sunday morning, I had 15 minutes to get to a pre-planned brunch with friends. My skin looked dry, dull, and tired. I reached for this mask, which only takes 2-3 minutes to work. When I washed it off, my skin was bright and smooth. It’s all thanks to the formula’s powerful combination of AHAs, BHA, and pineapple enzymes, which effectively slough away dead skin.
I love this multi-tasking serum. It brightens, firms, hydrates, and calms my skin, so my complexion looks bright and refreshed before I even think about makeup.
This product is expensive, but to me, it’s so worth it. With a combination of skin-firming peptides, protective antioxidants, and nine brightening ingredients, it works like a serum, moisturizer, and mask in one. I use it almost every morning without fail, but especially on busy mornings when I’m short on time.
I can’t shut up about this sunscreen. It has a lightweight, milky texture that melts into my skin without leaving a white cast. It’s saved me so much time because I no longer have to stand in front of the mirror and rub away sunscreen residue for five minutes. Plus, it has a dewy finish, so my skin looks instantly radiant.
Another sunscreen formula I love, this one is tinted, so it works like foundation. It offers SPF 30 and medium coverage, and it never fails to make my skin like natural and polished.
If you’d rather use a traditional foundation over a tinted sunscreen, I got you. This might just be my all-time favorite foundation (and I don’t say that lightly). The formula is as close to perfection as any foundation I’ve tried. It’s lightweight, offers buildable coverage, and looks like my skin but better. What more could I ask for?
This tubing mascara was recommended to me by Who What Wear’s beauty editor Katie Berohn and I have to say, it was love at first swipe. It takes five seconds to apply, yet it makes my lashes look incredibly long and fluttery. I won’t use anything else when I’m short on time.
When my brows are good, I feel so much more put-together. That’s why I’ll quickly swipe some of this gel through my brows on busy days. The tint adds definition, the formula fluffs them up, and the long-wearing hold keeps them in place. It’s a classic for a reason.
I don’t know about you, but I like to look sculpted and chiseled, even when I’m in a rush. This contour stick is the solution. I swipe it straight from the tube under my cheekbones, across the tip of my nose, and around the perimeter of my forehead and jawline, then I blend it in with a Beautyblender ($20) or makeup brush. It blends easily, looks natural, yet provides some much-needed definition.
I can’t deal with fussy lip products on the best of days, so when I’m busy, I refuse to wear anything that requires constant touch-ups. Instead, I’ll use this tinted lip balm. The juicy berry shade makes my lips look bright and plump, and the shea butter and marula oil keep them moisturized all day long. Quick and easy.
I’m a loyal user of dry shampoo, and usually, I love the Batiste Dry Shampoo ($). However, when I’m really late or I don’t feel like doing my hair, I’ll use this one. It never looks white in my hair or leaves a weird gray undertone like other dry shampoos do, yet it soaks up excess oily quickly.
When I’m short on time, there’s absolutely no way I’m reaching for heat tools, so I have to stick with products that work with my naturally wavy texture. I like this texture spray. Beyond it’s cheeky name, the most notable thing about it is that it defines my hair texture, adds grip and body, yet doesn’t weigh it down.
Take it from me: a little shine spray goes a long way in making your hair look polished…even when it’s the farthest thing from it. This one, also from Andrew Fitzsimons, gives my hair a glint of shine without stickiness.
If there’s one fragrance I spritz more than all others before heading out the door, it’s this one. I’ve already waxed poetic about this, but it’s worth repeating because I’m fully obsessed.
